Venting device for use with a liquid container



Jan. 2, 1968 R. w. RIDEL 3,361,159

VENTING DEVICE FOR USE WITH A LIQUID CONTAINER Filed Feb. 12, 1965United States Patent VENTING DEVICE FOR USE WITH A LIQUID CONTAINERRichard William Ride], Acton, London, England, assignor to C.A.V.Limited, London, England Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,304 Claimspriority, application Great Britain, Feb. 28, 1964, 8,338/64 1 Claim.(Cl. 137-525) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A venting device for a liquidcontainer comprising a member defining an annular step mounted on theupper wall of the container with the step disposed in the container. Themember having a circular plate secured to the lower end thereof and anannular flexible diaphragm secured at its outer periphery to the plateand having its inner peripheral surface overlapping the step. The memberalso having a passage through which a space defined between thediaphragm and the plate communicates with the exterior of the chamber.

This invention relates to a venting device for use with a liquidcontainer and has for its object to provide such a device in a simpleand convenient form.

A device in accordance with the invention comprises, in combination, astepped member the narrower portion of which is adapted to be mounted inthe upper wall of the container or a closure member thereof, so that thewider portion of the stepped member lies within the container, a platesecured to the Wider end of the stepped member, a flexible annulardiaphragm having its outer marginal edges secured to the plate andarranged so that the inner marginal edges thereof bear against the step,and a passage within the stepped member for placing the space definedbetween the diaphragm and the plate in communication with the exteriorof the container, the arrangement being such that when liquid iswithdrawn from the container the diaphragm will be moved to allow air toenter the container.

The accompanying drawing shows a sectional side elevation of one exampleof a venting device in accordance with the invention together with adiagrammatic representation of one example of a fuel supply system foran internal combustion engine with which it can be associated.

Referring to the drawing there is provided a main fuel tank 1 for liquidfuel, the tank having a closable filling opening 2. Fuel is drawn fromthe tank 1 by an engine driven fuel pump 3 and is passed to a filter 4of any convenient form. The filter is provided with two outlet pipes oneof which communicates with a fuel injection pump 5 for supplying fuelunder pressure to the engine, and the other pipe 6 communicates with areservoir tank 7. Also associated with the filter 4 is a return pipe forreturning excess fuel from the injection pump to the filter.

The reservoir tank is disposed at the highest point of the system and isprovided with an overflow pipe which leads from the side of the tank ata level at which it is 3,361,159 Patented Jan. 2, 1968 desired theliquid fuel in the tank should attain, furthermore, the pipe 8communicates with the main tank 1, and

the arrangement is such that when the pump 3 is operating i.e. when theengine is running the level of fuel in the 5 tank will be maintainedsubstantially constant.

From the base of the tank extends: an outlet pipe 9 which communicateswith an electric starting aid 10 disposed so that, when operated, itpermits liquid fuel to flow from the tank and discharges it into theinlet manifold 11 of the engine to assist the starting of the engine.The starting aid incorporates a valve so that when the aid is out of usefuel is not delivered to the manifold. In order to permit fuel to flowby gravity to the aid air must be allowed to enter the tank '7 however,because the system may be mounted on a vehicle the tank must be closedto prevent the fuel in the tank splashing and for this purpose the tankis closed by a cap 12 and is provided with a vent.

The vent takes the form of a stepped cylindrical member 13 the narrowerportion of which is screw threaded for engagement with a complementarythread in the cap. Secured to the end of the wider portion of the memberis a dished plate 14 and which at its marginal edge is secured to theouter marginal edge of a flexible annular diaphragm 15. The diaphragm isshaped so that its inner marginal edge overlies the wider portion of themember 13 to constitute a flap valve. Furthermore the member 13 isprovided with a bore 16 which, thuou-gh a groove 17 in the wider end ofthe member, communicates with a space defined between the diaphragm andthe plate. In use, when the valve in the aid is operated the diaphragmis lifted off the member to allow air to enter the tank and thus permitsfuel to leave the tank via the outlet pipe 9. However, when the aid isnot being used the vent is closed and so external splashing of the fuelis prevented.

Having thus described by invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A venting device for a liquid container comprising in combination, astepped member having a narrower and a wider portion which define anannular step, the member in use, being mounted on the upper wall of thecontainer with the step being disposed within the container, a circularplate secured to the wider end of the member, a flexible annulardiaphragm disposed above said plate and having its outer marginal edgesecured in sealing relation- 45 ship to the periphery of the plate, theinner marginal edge of the diaphragm overlapping and forming a seal withsaid step, and a passage within the stepped member and through which theunderside of the diaphragm is exposed to the pressure exterior of thecontainer.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,808,702 6/ 1931 Williams 220442,117,369 5/1938 Shaw 22 0-44 2,263,969 11/1941 Ingram 220-44 1,435,89910/1922 Logan 137525.3 1,969,118 8/1934 Brucker 137-525.3 2,183,74012/1939 Fitch 137-525 WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

W. WRIGHT, Assistant Examiner,

